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Rapture vs the Second Coming

The Rapture and Second Coming are separate events.

Dr Grant C Richison

The events of the rapture of the church and the Second Coming of Christ are distinctly different

The Rapture of the Church The Second Coming of Christ
Christ returns in the air
(1 Th 4:17)
Christ returns to the earth
(Zech 14:4,5)
Christ comes for His saints (1 Th 4:16-17) Christ comes with His saints ( Jude 14)
The Rapture concerns the church – “In Christ” (1 Th 4:14,16). The Second Coming concerns Israel and the nations (Zech 12:2-9).
The Rapture changes the bodies of believers (1 Co 15:51-53). The Second Coming changes the hearts of Jews (Zech 12:10).
The Rapture is Immanent Not immanent
No sign precedes Signs precede (Mt 24:29,30)
The Rapture is a blessing (1 Th4:18) The Second Coming brings judgment
(2 Th 2:8-12; Rev 19:15)
Rapture is a mystery (1 Co 15:51) Second Coming is not a mystery (Zech 14)
Rapture takes place in twinkling of an eye (1 Co 15:52) Second Coming visible world-wide (Mt 24:27; Re 1:7)
Rapture involves the church (1 Th 4:13-18) Second Coming involves Israel (Mt 24:1-25:46)
In the Rapture those taken are taken for blessing (1 Th 4:13-18); those who are left are left for judgment (1 Th 5:1-3) In the Second Coming those taken are taken for judgment while those left are left for blessing (Mt 24:37-41)
No date for the Rapture An elaborate dating system is given for the Second Coming (1260 days, 42 months, three and one half years ((Da 7:25; 12:7; 11,12, 9:27; Re 11:2; 12:14; 13:5))
“Son of Man” never used for the Rapture The Second Coming uses “Son of Man” for Christ’s coming (Mt 16:28; 24:27,30,39; 26:64; Mk 13:26; Lu 21:27)
In the Rapture saints are translated There is no translation in the Second Coming
In the Rapture saints go to heaven In the Second Coming there is no translation
At the Rapture the world is unjudged At the Second Coming the world is judged
The Rapture concerns only believers The Second Coming involves primarily unbelievers
The Rapture is revealed only in the New Testament (Eph 3) The Second Coming is revealed in both Old and New Testaments
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